A tribe of cute little fuzzy things are threatened when their tree is set ablaze during a thunderstorm. It’s up to the leader/shaman to brave all sorts of dangers and find them safe passage to a new home. It’s a quest that just so happens to take the form of an action platformer. One that could do with a few control adjustments.

Moving and jumping are both pivotal components to Clippox Exodus’s gameplay, but attack, defense, and spell casting are also very important. The little fluffy mage isn’t exactly durable, so knowing when to use the shield or when a devastating spell is needed can make a huge difference. It sometimes takes a little trial and error to get the little guy from one end of the room to the other, but progress is saved automatically once a new room is entered anyway so it’s not much of a setback.

Clippox Exodus combines some pretty interesting elements to create something that’s more than a typical platformer. Being able to block an attack then follow up with a counter isn’t the most complex system out there, but it’s certainly effective. And using the spells is always entertaining, as they tend to completely decimate the closest enemy in one shot. The vaguely storybook visuals are also worth a mention as they’re pretty great all-around. Especially the illustrations for the story segments.

If it weren’t for the fact that I felt like I was constantly fighting the controls, I’d probably be much more excited about Clippox Exodus. They aren’t broken, but the rub me the wrong way. Most platforming enthusiasts aren’t too fond of losing control of their character in mid-jump, no matter how realistic it may be. Likewise, I’m not all that keen on the jumping controls here. Lining up a leap takes more effort that I’m used to, and there have been several times when I’ve had to make multiple attempts or even retrace my steps just to clear a jump that shouldn’t really require so much work. There’s also this awkward pause in movement every time the shaman lands. It’s this odd little *whump* effect that keeps him from moving for a split second and always throws off the timing for successive jumps that I’m trying to make.

Clippox Exodus is one cute and with some lofty ambitions that just needs a little more tweaking. The inclusion of simple combat and magic make for a cool little platformer, but until the controls get an update or two it’s not something I’d consider essential.

iPhone Screenshots

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